Everything to do with the body’s health is about rebalancing, said Body Connection’s owner and practitioner Joe Amaral.
“Whether it’s physical such as plantar fasciitis, a herniated disc or tennis elbow, any of those things, it’s all mechanical and all about balancing muscles,” Amaral said. “If it is internal, meaning digestive issues or depression or any other affliction, it’s chemical related and we have to change your chemistry in order to rebalance.”
His 15 years of experience has taught him that it is important to work with what a body presents to him.
“We all have possibly the same symptoms but not necessarily the same needs,” he said.
“I try to fill your needs and not what I think your needs are.”
For example, he said he had two female clients that complained of hip issues.
Their symptoms were identical, the pain was identical.
He gave one woman a massage and she came back the next week and said she was pain free for four days, which is unusual because usually it takes four or five sessions before they can get that much pain relief, Amaral said.
“For the other client I did exactly the same thing and she was in excruciating pain for two days.”
For the second woman he tried a different protocol and after four sessions she was off her medications.
“She wasn’t pain free and she couldn’t walk her usual five kilometres, but she was able to walk up to a kilometre without being in excessive pain.”
It is important not to let pain go on for too long because it will take longer to heal, Amaral added.
“The longer you are in a state of pain the longer it will take to rebalance.”
Amaral offers an array of services including things such as Zen Shiatsu massage, deep tissue massage for relaxation, craniosacral therapy, thought field therapy, crystal bath, emotional freedom technique, lymph drainage therapy, Reiki, Bodyworkz, guided meditation and healing touch.
Just before Christmas Amaral added Zyto Advance — a computer program that analyzes the body.
“It doesn’t tell you if you are sick or anything, it just tells you if you have a weakness in your liver or your lungs or anything like that. It gives us a chance to correct it before it becomes a problem.”
The client places one hand on a plastic cradle for about seven minutes, while the scan takes place, using the “galvanic skin response,” Amaral said. “It analyzes what’s going on with your body systems, makes recommendations on what type of herbals will help you with your condition. It’s amazing how it works.”
It was his own back problems that led Amaral to explore alternative medicine, he said.
“I kept researching until a friend asked me if I wanted to try Reiki. When I asked what that was I learned it is a hands-on healing method that anyone can learn. I thought you had to be born with those gifts, but my friend said anyone can do it.”
His initial fear was the Reiki was a cult, but he stayed with it, thinking if he really believed in God, he would be protected.
“I am glad I stayed because it’s the best thing that happened to me. If it hadn’t been for the Reiki I am sure that by now I would have had a heart attack and all the discomforts that are heart driven.”
Reiki made him understand how to be gentler, more understanding and compassionate.
“From there I started learning more and more and I can’t get enough,” he said.
Body Connection is located at 147A North First Avenue. To book an appointment call 250-392-2600. House calls are available upon request.
